Chicago authorities crack down on bicyclists who don't follw the rulee of the road
For drivers who believe bicyce riders in Chicago have an unlimited right of way and can break every traffic law on the books, police were out in force yesterday to suggest otherwise.
A sting was conducted at a single ntersection near downtown for 2 hours during the mornign rush hour. But the intersection that was chosen is a busy one with bicycling commuters, widespread disregard for red lights, and plenty of collisions and near misses, authorities said.
Some 240 warnings and one ticket were issued by the end of the law enforcement and education operation, which was aimed at bicyclists pedaling through red lights and taking over crosswalks meant for pedestrians only, officials said. It was carried out by the Chicago Police Department, the Chicago Department of Transportation and the City of Chicago’s Bicycling Ambassadors program in what officials dubbed a “share the road” campaign.
“We want to let cyclists know that they are not only putting themselves at risk, but also endangering pedestrians in crosswalks and drivers who have to come to a screeching halt for bicyclists going through red lights,’’ said Carlin Thomas, share the road coordinator for the CDOT bicycle program.
Chicago reported an average of 1,300 accidents crashes involving bicycles each year, according to CDOT. Of those, approximately five a year result in death, officials said. Because of increased bike traffice, the death toll could rise without proper enforcement of the laws.
Did the sting on Tuesday work? Violators at the very busy intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Desplaines and Kinzie streets, may not have persuaded to change their unsafe ways.
“I know the police have a job to do. But if obeying the law is going to cost me my life, I'm not going to do it,” bicyclist Peter Walke said after being pulled over for riding in a pedestrian crosswalk and against a red light.
Walke told authorities that the intersection sees hundreds of cyclists during rush hours and that it is a very dangerous intersection.
“I've been turned into (by drivers) a couple of times,” Walke, 31, told the officers. “Cars will run into you. They don't like cyclists.”
Walke received a verbal warning from the police and agree to obey the traffic rules.
Authorities believe that the sting went smoothly.
The single ticket written for a red light violation was give bicyclist who “didn't like us being out here,” said police Sgt. Patricia Maher.
